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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Staff Writer

UFC on ESPN 3 poster released: Greg Hardy makes it two straight co-main events

The UFC returns to South Florida next month, and it appears Greg Hardy will get another high-profile chance to make a big impression.

The poster for UFC on ESPN 3 has been released, and along with the headlining middleweight rematch between Yoel Romero (13-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) and Ronaldo Souza (26-6 MMA, 9-3 UFC), it features Greg Hardy (3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) vs. Dmitrii Smoliakov (9-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC) in what currently is the co-main event spot.

It should be noted that previous official releases by the UFC for the event listed Ion Cutelaba vs. Glover Teixeira in the co-headliner position, so these things sometimes are fluid. But the Hardy-Smoliakov inclusion on the poster just underneath the main event is a fairly solid indication it’ll be second billing on the night.

UFC on ESPN 3 takes place April 27 at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla., a suburb of Fort Lauderdale. The card airs on ESPN following early prelims on ESPN+.

Souza and Romero first fought at UFC 194 in Las Vegas in December 2015, where Romero picked up a split-decision win.

Following an NFL career that came to an end following a series of conduct issues, including an alleged domestic violence issue, Hardy transitioned to MMA and became an immediate success. His size, speed and power helped him quickly rack up knockout wins against low-level competition, including a pair of victories on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Hardy was brought in for his official UFC debut in January for a co-headlining bout against Allen Crowder at UFC on ESPN+ 1. He would lose by disqualification after an illegal knee strike, which he later said was unintentional and not a representation of the type of fighter he is.

Smoliakov hasn’t fought for the UFC in more than two years.

Check out the UFC on ESPN 3 poster below, featuring the main and co-main events:

The latest UFC on ESPN 3 lineup includes:

  • Yoel Romero vs. Ronaldo Souza
  • Greg Hardy vs. Dmitrii Smoliakov
  • Alex Oliveira vs. TBA
  • Ion Cutelaba vs. Glover Teixeira
  • Carla Esparza vs. Livinha Souza
  • Andrei Arlovski vs. Augusto Sakai
  • John Lineker vs. Cory Sandhagen
  • Jason Gonzalez vs. Jim Miller
  • Dhiego Lima vs. Court McGee
  • Jodie Esquibel vs. Jessica Penne

For more on UFC on ESPN 3, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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